asking for a deposit - legalities?

[jrose]

Hi all,

 

Not strictly arb related, but could do with some advice...

 

My girlfriend has been running courses on green woodworking for the past couple of years, tickets sold online through her website. So far, the cost of the ticket has been the price of the course paid up front, and then when people arrive on the day she doesn't have to do any running around collecting money.

 

In the past few months, a couple of people have cancelled at short notice leaving a bit of a dilemma - should they be refunded the full amount, or a percentage? We're considering selling the ticket at roughly 50% of the full value as a deposit, with the remainder due once the course has been completed.

 

Has anyone got any links or idea what the legalities (if any) of this would be please? I've tried google and come up blank, so turning to the good folks on here.

 

Many thanks

Joe

[easy-lift guy]

Your girlfriend needs to add a non cancellation fee to cover her cost. Otherwise no refund.

Like any other class or course a refund is not normal or customary here in the states.

easy-lift guy

[smokewood]

You should advertise the terms and condition of booking, which should be clearly displayed at the time of booking, I would also have a tick box that the customer has to tick to confirm they understand the terms & condition of booking, examples of cancellation fees could be as follows:

Cancellation under 3 weeks no refund given.

Cancellation within 3-5 weeks of course 50% refund given

Cancellation within 6-8 weeks of course a full refund will be given.

 

You could also contact Trading Standards to see what they have to say about it to be on the right side of the law.

[treequip]

You should advertise the terms and condition of booking, which should be clearly displayed at the time of booking, I would also have a tick box that the customer has to tick to confirm they understand the terms & condition of booking, examples of cancellation fees could be as follows:

Cancellation under 3 weeks no refund given.

Cancellation within 3-5 weeks of course 50% refund given

Cancellation within 6-8 weeks of course a full refund will be given.

 

You could also contact Trading Standards to see what they have to say about it to be on the right side of the law.

 

This......

 

But definitely not this

We're considering selling the ticket at roughly 50% of the full value as a deposit, with the remainder due once the course has been completed.

[gooseflight]

Keep it simple:

 

50% of course price due at time of booking (or full price due if course date within six weeks or sooner).

 

Remaining balance collected six weeks before course.

 

No refunds after full balance paid.

 

(Adjust figures/intervals to suit.)

 

If you clearly state your terms on website/in brochure, no one can quibble .

[Lazurus]

I think if you ask for payment after the course is completed there is no incentive for the customer to cough up. If the customers are genuine they will abide by paying prior to the course and as already stated like some hotels etc. a staggered refund policy if cancellation is unavoidable. At the end of the day your good lady needs to earn a living.

[Clark]

Deposits

 

The contractor may require a 10% deposit from the client for any works being carried out that have a waiting time of more than 14 days - this is to secure the date of booking. This will be reflected on the invoice upon satisfactory completion of the work.

 

Right to Cancel

 

‘Notice of the Right to Cancel’ – the client has 14 days to cancel the contract (in writing or e-mail) from acceptance date and to have any deposit payments returned. This does not apply to urgent/emergency work or other such work undertaken at short notice (within 14 days).

 

In my terms and conditions.